Welcome to the wonderful world of Calico cats! These adorable furry friends are famous for their unique and colorful coat patterns. In this blog post, we’ll explore some fascinating facts about Calico cats that will blow your mind. So, let’s dive in!
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Calico is not a breed
Did you know that Calico cats are not a specific breed but actually a coat pattern? They have a unique and beautiful look with their tri-color coat. The base color is white, covering anywhere from 25% to 75% of their body, and then they have patches of black and orange. It’s definitely an eye-catching look!
Certain cat breeds are more likely to be calico
Now we know that calico cats are not a specific breed. However, some cat breeds are more likely to have a beautiful calico pattern! These breeds include American Shorthair, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Persian.
Most Calicos are girls
Fun fact – did you know that 99.99% of Calico cats are female? It’s kind of mind-blowing, right? The reason for this fun fact lies in the genetics of Calico cats.
Female cats have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). The colors for Calico cats are located in the X chromosome. One chromosome can carry the black color, and the other can carry the orange color. Because you need black and orange colors to make a Calico cat, they’re usually girls!
Male calicos are usually sterile
While male Calico cats do exist, they are quite rare. In fact one in 3,000 Calico cats is male. Male Calico cats have an extra chromosome. Instead of an XY setup, they have an XXY setup. This enables them to carry both color genes, and the Y chromosome is there to make them male!
However, the majority of male Calicos are unable to father kittens, as they are often sterile due to this genetic combination.
The calico is the state cat of Maryland
Calico cats hold a special place in the hearts of the people in Maryland. They were declared the official state cat in 2001! This is because the calico cat shares the same colors as Maryland’s state bird – the Baltimore oriole, and the state insect – the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly.
A Calico cat has been station master
One cute kitty named Tama was crowned as the “Stationmaster of Kishi Station” in Japan’s Wakayama prefecture region back in 2007! She brought so much joy to commuters and became a beloved celebrity. And guess what? Her salary was paid in cat food. Interestingly, the ticket sales went up by over 10 percent during her first year as stationmaster.
They are considered lucky by many cultures around the world
In the U.S., they are even called “money cats”! It’s because they are believed to bring good luck to their owners! Japanese fishermen took calico cats on their ships to protect themselves from storms and ghosts. And according to Irish folklore, rubbing a calico cat’s tail on warts during May can cure them, but we recommend trying another option instead.
Japanese Beckoning Cats are based on them
Have you ever seen those cute cat figurines with one paw raised as if beckoning to you? Well, they are known as Maneki-Neko or Japanese Beckoning Cats. What’s really cool is that they’re often based on Calico cats. People believe that having these figurines around brings good fortune and prosperity, which is why they’re so popular in Japanese culture!
Final Thoughts
Calico cats are truly a marvel of nature, with their stunning colors and unique personalities. Whether they’re bringing smiles to commuters as station masters or gracing our homes with their vibrant presence, these feline beauties hold a special place in our hearts.
